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WILTON – The police department, along with some volunteers from the community, are planning a telephone outreach program to begin at the first of the year. The idea is to have neighbors offering neighbors a quick check-in and a friendly conversation.
“When I first started here,” Police Chief Dennis Brown recalled, “people only phoned in 911 calls. Now, it’s ‘I’m worried about my neighbor’ or ‘such-and-such’s child is without heat this month.’ It’s expanded to all sorts of things.”
The outreach program will utilize volunteers making calls out of the town’s public safety building. Residents of Wilton can sign up to receive a call or two a week, as well as a convenient time of day to receive the call. Volunteers will place a friendly call to the resident, enjoy a brief conversation and make sure they’re in good health. If they can’t reach the resident, they’ll start going through a list of emergency contacts and potentially send somebody to check up in person.
Volunteers are being eagerly sought by the program, with the only requirement being that they pass a criminal background check. The department will provide the necessary training for volunteers, who will likely work a couple hours a week in the station.
“This is great way to help out,” Volunteer Kathy Shepard said. “A lot of people in Maine feel it’s important to be independent. Sometimes too independent.”
Residents of Wilton can expect to see flyers posted Friday with more information, as well as registration forms for the program at the public safety building, public library and other sites. Anyone with questions can contact Lucille Porter, who is the department’s liaison with the project, at 645-3876.
The volunteers and Chief Brown aren’t certain what sort of response to expect. Whoever signs up, however, can expect a call.
“What’s five minutes out of our day?” Brown asked.
